Monday, February 09, 2015

“I will never perform a so-called same-sex marriage. A
federal court can put me in jail for life, and I will still never
perform a so-called same-sex marriage. As a believer in the Word of God…
I cannot in good conscience participate in a purported marriage
ceremony which I strongly believe would profane the sacred institution
of marriage.”

“This is not about hating people. Each of us needs
to treat every other human being with dignity and respect, regardless
of our diametrically opposing viewpoints on this divisive issue. But
tolerance is a two-way street. Either there is tolerance for all or
there is tolerance for none. I want tolerance for my personal religious
viewpoint.”

Alabama Probate Judge John Enslen thinks that not only his personal religious beliefs supersedes federal law and the rights of United States citizens who fairly win their court cases, but also mandates that he should get away with the dereliction of his sworn duty on the taxpayer's dime, even if some of those taxpayers are the people whose rights he is deliberately ignoring.

Regardless how anyone feels about marriage equality, it is an issue which is being decided fairly by the federal courts. We are not a theocracy but a secular nation of laws - - laws whose
constitutionality are generally decided in the courts. Those states who oppose
marriage equality have been unable to provide proof as to the
constitutionality of their laws. Plain and simple. That's why they are
losing. In spite of all of their rhetoric about "activist judges" and "black robed tyrants," those against marriage equality have provided no proof that any chicanery has been going on. Heck, they can't provided proof that their policies against marriage equality is sound. That's why they are throwing tantrums now. Because they don't have any other options.

But this next step Probate Justice Enslen, and a few other judges in Alabama are taking is dangerous to not only the rights of same-sex couples, but all United States citizens.

If state judges can get away with ignoring a federal ruling simply because they do not agree with said ruling on whatever grounds, they are giving themselves precedent to ignore any and all federal rulings they do not agree with.
Today it's marriage equality. Who knows what it may be tomorrow?

If this mockery of our legal system is not contained now, we are going to see lots of trouble in the future . . . and with other things besides marriage equality.

Exploiting your religious faith to get your way when you lose in federal court is not American. And it's certainly not Christian.

For the most part (we still have to work on a couple of things), marriage equality has successfully come to Alabama.

And that leaves state chief justice Roy Moore in an ugly mood. Moore has been very vocal against the federal decision and last night, tried a last ditch effort - an unsuccessful last ditch effort - to stop it.

Moore also posted a statement from his wife, Kayla, who leads the Foundation for Moral Law, a legal group founded by Moore. Kayla Moore’s statement cites Leviticus to condemn homosexuality as an abomination and slam the federal court’s ruling.

“Founded by Chief Justice Roy Moore, The Foundation for Moral Law's goal is to be the sword of the spirit for Christians all over who don't want to see Alabama or America become the next Sodom and Gomorrah,” she said. “We will continue our battle against evil, and judicial immorality.”

She called on gay people and their allies to turn away from their “sexual lust” and turn to God:

“Today the sacred institution of marriage is being destroyed by the LGBT community and liberal politicians who ‘want change’ as did our President; and they make their rulings based on their emotions and not law. Every human being wants to find meaning in their life, some find it in religion, some find it in material things, certain people find it in sexual lust; however, all they need is Jesus Christ. We as Christians do not condemn homosexuals; instead we point them toward eternal life through Christ Jesus.”

I know there is an eagerness to call Moore and his wife names and laugh at their folly. However, let's be analytical about this. Moore actually did us a favor.

People on his side of the argument have been careful to shield the simple fact that their disagreement with marriage equality is one deriving from simple homophobia.

"It's about protecting marriage," they say to us. "We have no problems with homosexuals living the way they want, but they have no right to redefine marriage for the rest of us."

Moore proves that behind the careful rhetoric and talking points, the disagreement with marriage equality has always been about animus against the lgbt community.

Animus and homophobia can't stand up in court and that's the reason why Moore's side is losing the argument in the courts.

Sam Smith conquers Grammys with four top awards - Let's not forget last night's very significant moment. An openly gay young singer wins four Grammys and pretty much everyone is happy. Wouldn't have happened when I WAS Sam Smith's age.

About Me

Alvin McEwen is 46-year-old African-American gay man who resides in Columbia, SC.
McEwen's blog, Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters, and writings have been mentioned by Americablog.com, Goodasyou.org, People for the American Way, PageOneQ.com, The Washington Post, Raw Story, The Advocate, Media Matters for America, Crooksandliars.com, Thinkprogress.org, Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish, Melissa Harris-Perry, The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, Newsweek, The Daily Beast, The Washington Blade, and Foxnews.com.
In addition, he is also a past contributor to Pam's House Blend,Justice For All, LGBTQ Nation, and Alternet.org. He is a present contributor to the Daily Kos and the Huffington Post,
He is the 2007 recipient of the Harriet Daniels Hancock Volunteer of the Year Award and the 2010 recipient of the Order of the Pink Palmetto from the SC Pride Movement as well as the 2009 recipient of the Audre Lorde/James Baldwin Civil Rights Activist Award from SC Black Pride. In addition, he is a three-time nominee of the Ed Madden Media Advocacy Award from SC Pride.